Domestic violence: let's break the silence!
Domestic violence is not a private matter. It destroys lives, families, and the future of many children.
Some figures that should concern us all
Domestic violence remains one of the most widespread forms of violence in our society. Every year in Belgium, tens of thousands of incidents are reported to the police. Behind these figures are countless women, men and children whose lives have been turned upside down.
- More than 40,000 cases of intimate partner violence are recorded every year by the Belgian police.
- On average, dozens of women lose their lives every year in the context of domestic or family violence.
- Children exposed to such violence are also victims: they are at greater risk of developing psychological trauma, anxiety disorders, learning difficulties, or reproducing these patterns of violence in adulthood.
- According to victim support organizations, many acts of violence are never reported because of fear, emotional or financial dependence, or fear of retaliation.
Behind every statistic is a face, a family and immense suffering. Domestic violence can no longer be regarded as a mere news item: it is a major issue of public safety and the protection of fundamental rights.
Like other members of the Révolution Movement, our Secretary General, Nora Patteri, experienced the horror of domestic violence.
" Like many victims, I remained silent. Not because I accepted the violence, but because I was afraid. Afraid of destroying my family. Afraid of making my children suffer. Afraid of the consequences for my spouse. Afraid of other people's judgment. Afraid that no one would believe me... "
So we remain silent. We hope that everything will change. We minimize, we forgive, we cling to the slightest hope.
But violence never stops on its own.
Violence gradually takes hold. Insults become humiliation. Humiliation becomes physical abuse. And physical abuse can lead to attempted murder…
Every day, victims live in fear. Some manage to escape. Others carry lifelong scars. And others will never get the chance.
The feeling of abandonment
The hardest part is often the feeling of abandonment.
When a victim finally finds the courage to speak out, they expect to be protected. Yet far too often, procedures are lengthy, decisions come too late, and the penalties imposed do not reflect the seriousness of the violence committed. This reality discourages many victims from filing a complaint and sometimes allows perpetrators to offend again.
It is time to act
Faced with this situation, it is time to act firmly.
The Révolution Movement advocates a policy of zero tolerance towards domestic and intimate partner violence.
We propose swift and effective justice, with penalties proportionate to the seriousness of the offences and, for the most serious crimes, irreducible prison sentences with no possibility of early release. In cases of repeat offending, penalties must be significantly increased.
We want to establish a Special Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Unit, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, made up of specially trained officers able to intervene immediately, protect victims, collect their testimony, ensure their safety and support them throughout every step of the legal process.
Convicted offenders must undergo a mandatory rehabilitation and accountability programme while in prison, aimed at reducing reoffending and confronting them with the gravity of their actions.
We also propose the creation of a National Register of Domestic Violence Offenders, in order to better prevent repeat offences and strengthen the protection of victims. It should be possible to consult such a register in order to determine whether the person with whom one intends to enter into a relationship has previously been convicted of domestic violence.
Victims must also benefit from immediate protection, secure accommodation whenever necessary, psychological, medical and legal support, as well as prompt assistance from the justice system.
The abusive partner must also compensate for the harm they have caused. This includes financial compensation ordered by the courts in proportion to the suffering endured, as well as the fulfilment of all financial obligations towards their children. In the event of refusal, seizure of income and assets must be possible.
Because prevention is essential, we want to introduce a dedicated educational programme from an early age focusing on respect, equality, consent and conflict resolution. Educating today's children means preventing tomorrow's violence.
Silence protects the abuser
Domestic violence is not a relationship conflict.
It is violence.
It is crime.
Silence protects the abuser.
Speaking out can save a life.
Nora Patteri: " To every victim reading these words, I want to say one thing: you are not alone. Shame belongs to the one who commits the violence, never to the one who suffers it. "
Protect the victims.
Punish the perpetrators.
Prevent repeat offending.
No violence.
No excuses.
No impunity.
